My chest tightens.
“I’m right here, baby,” Alie says.
Small footsteps sound, and then she appears.
She’s holding a stuffed football, her hair is slightly messy, and she’s wearing leggings and a T-shirt that has some Disney princess on it.
When she sees me, she stops in her tracks. Her eyes are wide, but not like she’s scared. More like curious and assessing.
“Sera, this is my friend, Liam,” Alie says, gently.
She tilts her head. “Hi.”
My throat goes dry.
“Hi,” I manage to squeak out.
She’s real and mine. And I have no idea what to do. I always thought I was good with kids. I can handle Archie and Emma’s like a champ, but I’m completely lost right now.
Sera walks closer to me, slow but confident. Not afraid. More like she’s trying to decide if I’m interesting enough.
“You tall.” She points at me.
Alie laughs. “He is tall, yes.”
I crouch down instinctively so I’m closer to her level.
“Yeah,” I say. “I guess I am pretty tall.”
She studies my face.
“You play football?” she asks.
My chest pinches.
“I do.” Christ, why can’t I say more than two words at a time?
“I wuv football. I watch Twitans,” she says proudly.
“Titans, baby,” Alie corrects.
“Poppy’s team.” She smiles.
“That’s right; it is.” I nod.
Sera looks at my hands, my shoes, then back at my face.
“You pway with us?”
The innocence of her questions hits like a punch.
I glance at Alie. She just smiles.
“I do. I’m the quarterback for the Titans now,” I explain.
She seems satisfied with my answer.
“See my room?”
